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Live From St. Paul: We Now Return to Our Scheduled Programming

Senator Joseph I. Lieberman at the convention. (Photo: Damon Winter/The New York Times)

Senator Joseph I. Lieberman, who just eight years ago was the Democratic Party’s nominee for vice president, portrayed Senator John McCain Tuesday night as a man who transcends party. President Bush and former Senator Fred Thompson also appeared.

Wrap Up | 11:11 p.m. The Lieberman speech was an astonishing moment of political history, for a one-time Democratic vice presidential nominee to be making this speech at a Republican convention and so thoroughly dismiss the current Democratic nominee — and Mr. Lieberman has not even become a Republican!

Take a minute to climb into the way-back machine and imagine yourself in 2000 looking ahead to this moment. Would you have believed it?

More Lieberman | 10:59 p.m. Now he addresses “my fellow Democrats and Independents,” saying: “You may be thinking of voting for John McCain but you’re not sure. Some of you may never have voted for a Republican before and in an ordinary election, you probably wouldn’t. But this is no ordinary election, because these are not ordinary times, and John McCain is no ordinary candidate.”

He concludes: “So tonight, I want to ask you, whether you are an Independent, a Reagan Democrat or a Clinton Democrat, or just a plain old Democrat: This year, when you vote for President, vote for the person you believe is best for our country, not for the party you happen to belong to.” And he urges them to “vote for the person who has always put America first,” as if Mr. Obama hasn’t.

Dissing the Democrats | 10:54 p.m. This is not an angry Zell Miller speech. But it will probably strike many Democrats as just as treacherous in its denigration of Mr. Obama.

“Only one leader has shown the courage and the capability to rise above the smallness of our politics to get big things done for our country and our people. And that leader is John McCain!”

He adds: “God only made one John McCain, and he is his own man.”

In tearing down Mr. Obama, he even praises Bill Clinton — remember, Mr. Lieberman was one of the first Democrats (back then) to criticize Mr. Clinton for his affair with a White House intern.
“Senator Obama is a gifted and eloquent young man who can do great things for our country in the years ahead. But eloquence is no substitute for a record,” he says.

“In the Senate he has not reached across party lines to get anything significant done, nor has he been willing to take on powerful interest groups in the Democratic Party. Contrast that to John McCain’s record, to the record of the last Democratic President, Bill Clinton, who stood up to some of those same Democratic interest groups, worked with Republicans and got some important things done like welfare reform, free trade agreements, and a balanced budget.”

Joe! | 10:39 p.m.Senator Lieberman is up. He gets a rousing applause of welcome from the delegates in the hall. (Prepared Text)

Mr. Lieberman tries to sound bi-partisan, referring to the Hurricane Gustav as a time when we aren’t Republicans or Democrats but Americans. And yet, he says a moment later, “being a Democrat or a Republican is important, but it is nowhere near as important as being an American.”

And now, to the point: “What, after all, is a Democrat like me doing at a Republican convention like this? I’ll tell you what. I’m here to support John McCain because country matters more than party.”

More Thompson | 10:37 p.m. In one of the biggest lines of the night, Mr. Thompson says, “We need a president who doesn’t think the protection of the unborn is above his pay grade.”

He was referring to Mr. Obama’s answer at the Saddleback Church a few weeks ago, when he was asked when life begins and he replied that this was above his pay grade. (Mr. McCain answered instantly: “At the moment of conception.”)

Hanoi | 10:28 p.m. Mr. Thompson recounts the grim details of Mr. McCain’s captivity in Hanoi as only an actor can, bringing new life to that story. “This is the kind of character that civilizations since the beginning of history have sought in their leaders,” he says.

Mr. McCain has been to Iraq eight times, Mr. Thompson says, “seeking truth, not publicity.” When the war was going badly, Mr. McCain stood up and called for more troops, he says, “and now we’re winning.”

The crowd is chanting “USA!!” as it was earlier this evening.

Now back to the red meat. Mr. Thompson slams Mr. Obama, though not by name, referring to his speech in Berlin as “a Tel-e-prompter speech designed to appeal to America’s critics abroad.” And he says, again without a name, that Mr. Obama is “the most liberal, inexperienced nominee ever to run for president.” Needless to say, the crowd is roaring.

More Praise for Palin | 10:23 p.m. Also, Mr. Thompson says, she has run a municipality and a state and is “the only nominee in the history of either party who knows how to properly field-wrestle a moose — with the possible exception of Teddy Roosevelt.”

He casts her as a fellow reformer with Mr. McCain, also advancing the campaign’s story line that a maverick presidential nominee has picked a maverick running mate.

When they get to Washington, Mr. Thompson says, “they won’t care how much the alligators get irritated, they’re going to drain that swamp.”

Thompson Serves Up Red Meat | 10:20 p.m. Mr. Thompson is here to deliver the cudgel to critics of Sarah Palin, and to the media: “What a breath of fresh air Gov. Sarah Palin is!” he declares. “She’s from a small town with small-town values, but apparently that’s not good enough for some of the folks out there now attacking her family. Washington pundits and media big shots are in a frenzy,” he says, because she has actually governed rather than just talk on the Sunday talk shows and hit the Washington cocktail circuit.” (This is clearly a talking point for the McCain camp — we heard nearly the same line from Laura Ingraham, the talk-show host, this afternoon.)

Mr. Thompson says Ms. Palin’s selection “has got the other side and their friends in the media in a state of panic. And no wonder. She’s a courageous, successful reformer who’s not afraid to take on the establishment. Sound like anybody else we know?”

The crowd is loving the red meat.

Reagan, the Movie | 10 p.m. As soon as Mr. Bush is offstage, there’s a “morning-in-America” bio film of Ronald Reagan on now, and it featured a picture of Mr. Reagan shaking hands with… John McCain! Reminiscent, of course, of the picture of Bill Clinton shaking hands with JFK.

This is the lead-in to Fred Thompson, who gets a wild cheer in the hall.

President George W. Bush addressed the convention over a video link from the White House. (Photo: Damon Winter/The New York Times)

Reaction to Bush Our colleague Sarah Wheaton has the following from the floor:

Jack LaMar Wolfe, attorney, from McAllen, Texas, attorney: His favorite part of the Bush speech: “When he talked in such glowing terms about McCain and his military experience.”

“There was reason for him not to be that gracious. They’ve had some bitter fights.” Didn’t think the speech would have been different if Bush had been there in person, except that he would not have talked over the applause and thus cut it off. “I mean, there would have been longer applause because there would have been better reaction.”

“He knows where the Republican hearts are. He knows they’re with him and Laura,” he said.

Betty Hanes, 72, of Othello, Wash.: “I appreciate his service, what he’s done and what he tried to do. I didn’t agree with everything he did. I never agreed with any president we’ve had. I think he did always what he thought was best for the country.”

“I think his legacy will be higher than his rating is now,” she said.

Kristine Greene, West Greenwich, R.I., 44, wearing a pin that said, “Thank W” with pictures of Alito and Roberts – During the speech “I was thinking I’m proud to be an American. I’m proud to have President Bush as president. “I’m proud that my children have experienced his presidency.” Has 7 kids. She said she admired that he was “more concerned about doing what was best for our country than what was construed as the popular thing to do.”

Saying Goodbye | 10 p.m. This hall is the last great redoubt of support for George W. Bush, and his fans here must be disappointed that they are missing out on the experience of bidding him farewell in person. Mr. Bush had to finish up just before the opening of prime time. Laura Bush is back, thanking their supporters, for both her and her husband. She gives a little wave as she walks off stage by herself.

President Bush | 9:54 p.m. Mr. Bush is standing in what is called the “Cross Hall” at the White House; the Oval Office is reserved for less political, more presidential addresses. He first mentions Hurricane Gustav, then gives a shout-out to his parents. (Transcript)

“I know the hard choices that fall solely to a president,” he says. Mr. McCain “is ready to lead this nation.” He’s now on to Mr. McCain’s bio. Cameras are flashing in the hall, even though the president is on a big screen, not here in real life.

In a strikingly partisan remark, Mr. Bush says: “If the Hanoi Hilton could not break John McCain’s resolve to do what’s best for his country, you can be sure that the angry left never will.”

And then he brings a chuckle, by assuring the crowd that Mr. McCain is not afraid to speak his mind. “I know,” he says.

Mr. Bush is speaking rather softly, and slowly. We’ve been told he can’t hear the response of the crowd in the hall. So there’s an aide standing there with him, behind the camera, who is listening in and signaling to him when to pause for applause.

Straight Talk | 9:50 p.m. Mrs. Bush is giving the convention “a little straight talk.” Her husband isn’t here to polish his record for the history books, so Mrs. Bush is doing it for him.

Among his accomplishments, she says, are: his two appointments to the Supreme Court (which draws a big cheer here); faith-based initiatives; a huge increase in the number of Africans being treated for AIDS. With a twist on Barack Obama’s slogan, she adds: “You might call that change you can really believe in.” She goes on to say that 50 million people in Iran and Iraq are “living in freedom.”

“And let’s not forget, President Bush has kept the American people safe,” which brings a huge ovation from the delegates.

She introduces him, beamed in live from the White House.

Laura Bush | 9:44 p.m. First Lady Laura Bush just took the stage in the hall and the crowd is enthusiastically cheering. The Texas delegation stands out, all in their red shirts and waving their cowboy hats.

Mrs. Bush just gave a clue as to how the campaign will frame Gov. Sarah Palin: she hailed her as “a strong executive and proven reformer.” She added, slightly redundantly, that she was proud “the first female vice president will be a Republican woman.”

Former President Bush and Barbara Bush arrived at the convention. (Photo: Brendan Smialowski for The New York Times)

Gearing Up | 9:22 p.m. Hi everybody. We’re going into the hall at the Xcel Center now to watch tonight’s line-up – starting with President Bush, who will be beamed in from the White House. It’s his farewell to his party, and carries a kind of poignancy: he isn’t being given the chance to bid adieu to his most loyal supporters, who are here in St. Paul, in person. And yet, his father and mother are here. Moreover, he won’t even appear in prime time.

Also we’ll see Fred Thompson tonight, who is expected to join in with the McCain campaign strategy of blasting the media. And finally, Senator Lieberman, Mr. McCain’s wingman, who is being given the final 20 minutes of prime time, wherein some Republicans are predicting he will give us something to remember.

Our colleague Kate Phillips will be twittering tonight’s events. And you can watch video here:

Bubble boy beamed from the Whitehouse. How appropriate. A crowd of old, white people there to listen. Looking at the demographics of the crowd at the GOP convention, it doesn’t look pretty for them in a few years.

Kudos to Laura Bush, the smarter half of the First Couple. She had the courage to appear live before America. At best, Dubya hid behind his wife’s dress and a major hurricane to deliver a lame speech extolling John McCain. Note that none of what he said about his personal experience at the White House makes McCain prepared to handle the office of the Presidency.

Also note that McCain’s refusal to accept early prisoner release:

– was part of the officer protocol by which he was taught to abide;
– has no reflection on McCain’s ability to be POTUS.

Bush’s reference to 9/11 is shameless and pandering, as is his statement that Obama is willing to lose a war to win an election. If the Republicans are so willing to be so low as to suggest this, why should the Palin family’s indiscretions be off limits

The President’s speech was videotaped – ie, recorded this afternoon, after his nap, before his favorite prime time TV shows. He has no more interest in this horror show now than the rest of us. He could have mailed this pack of nonsense in from almost any time in the last 8 years. His poor dad . . .

“Angry left?” Damn straight we’re angry–at what the neocons and the Republican party have done to our country, and what McCain would do to it if he got elected. This convention is like watching somebody’s idea of dumbing down the world for a first grader. Scary. So, yeah, we’re angry. And you know what? We’re not gonna take it anymore! Obama/Biden 08!

No, Cody, I think you’re right. The speech clearly seemed to be pre-recorded. I don’t buy the aide stanginf of to the side signalling the president about applause. Hell, he would have started clapping right?

Bush mentioned his duties of reading the presidential daily briefings.
How about the one while he was vacationing in Crawford? The onne just a few weeks before 9/11? The one that clearly warned that Osama bin Laden was intent on flying planes into American buildings?

the only good thing I can say about this year’s RNC is that they are not mocking wounded veterans like they did four years ago with their cute little Purple Heart bandaids stunt. 1/20/09 cannot come soon enough.

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